COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, December 11, 2017
QUESTION NO.6
QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney
To ask the Chief Executive how the Council intends to commemorate the significant anniversaries with local connections in 2018; in particular, the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, the AntI-Conscription campaign and the 1918 election, and to make a statement on the matter.
REPLY:
The State's Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme was underpinned by a supportive structure of public consultation and guiding principles set out in the initial Statement of the Expert Advisory Group to the Government on Commemorations. This was mirrored in South Dublin with the establishment of a Commemorations Committee of elected members, an extensive consultation process and grants applications process to support the preparation and running of the very successful 2016 Commemorations Programme.
Between 2018 and 2023, the State will recall significant historical events that took place between 1918 and 1923. A national consultation process is now underway to stimulate a public conversation around how the significant and sensitive historical events that took place during that period and related themes might be appropriately remembered. The Government will continue to be supported in its approach by the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations. The commemorative programme for the second half of the Decade of Centenaries will be inclusive, respectful and authentic, with the objective of promoting a deeper understanding of differing perspectives on this sensitive period in our shared history.
Each local authority is now invited to participate in this public consultation process and further information is available at the link https://www.chg.gov.ie/news-centre/news-centre-consultations/ , including a timeline of significant historical events and themes.
The Second Statement of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations has recently been published and it contains guiding principles to support interested parties navigate the turbulent historical period that followed the 1916 Easter Rising until the admission of the Irish Free State into the League of Nations in 1923. You can view the Second Statement by clicking here: https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2017/10/2017-04-10-final-second-statement-english-1.pdf .
The closing date for return of submissions is 31st January 2018 and all submissions must be accompanied by a completed Submission Cover Sheet (which can be found at the link https://www.chg.gov.ie/news-centre/news-centre-consultations/ ). In preparing your submission, you may also wish to consult with interested parties throughout the county (such as historical societies, local commemorative committees, etc.) to seek their ideas and views. Any queries should be directed to the Decade of Centenary Commemorations Unit via email (commemorations@chg.gov.ie) or by telephone (01 675 5918/5915).
Through the Creative Ireland Programme, which is a legacy programme of the 1916 Commemorations, the Council’s Culture Team may explore these events thematically for public participatory events. The Council’s Creative Ireland South Dublin Strategy is currently engaged in public consultation and consultation meeting was held in Rua Red on November 27th and another in the Clondalkin Round Tower at 5.30pm on 11th December. Submissions can now be made as part of this process and should be sent to Anolan@sdublincoco.ie. The 2018 Creative Ireland Plan will be finalized in January 2018. Information on the South Dublin Creative Ireland plan is available here http://www.sdcc.ie/services/parks-and-recreation/arts/creative-ireland